Satsangs

Satsang is a compound Sanskrit word that means “keeping the company of the Self.” The Self, Awareness, is the true nature of everyone and one keeps company with it by continually meditating on it in many ways. One of the most effective methods involves discussing non-dual teachings with someone who has realized his or her identity as the Self, to get clarity with reference to Self inquiry. The satsangs posted here are the questions of many people around the world who are interested in enlightenment and find that Vedanta is their preferred means of Self knowledge. Since I am a teacher of Vedanta, a time tested means of self inquiry, I am qualified to reply to these questions.~James Swartz

ShiningWorld Reader

Carl: Hello, Ramji. Salutations from the self. I am now reading the Bhagavad Gita Home Study Course and I must say without listening to and reading your teachings I would be adding so much of my ignorance to this. However, I came across a passage that stopped me in my tracks, so I would appreciate your feedback.

The passage: “Because atma is not available as an object of knowledge, it is aprameya. But if atma is not an object of knowledge, why are you doing all this study? What is the Gita-sastra for if not for knowing atma?”

Am I correct in understanding that the word aprameya means “that which cannot be known as an object”? Does that mean it is unknown to me as a jiva, as an experiencing entity? And of course that is true; I answered my own question. And yet to know that it is unknown to me as an object and cannot be experienced, is it true then “that it is known to me as the self?”

Ramji: Yes, you answered your own question and yes, the self is the one doing the study. It is not unknown to you. It is not an object. It is you.

Carl: Then why am I “doing all this study”?

Ram: Maybe you do not know what it means to be the self. Vedanta shows you the self and tells you what it means to be you. But you don’t really need to do all this study, because what it means is that you are not bound by your fears and desires and that the sense of doership has disappeared. It seems it is still there because you seem to think that “you” are “doing all this study.” You are watching Carl, the reflected self, do all this study. You are not studying. You are observing without comment.

Carl: I asked this question of myself, and then there was lots and lots of silence and the words, “I do not know and this is just what appears to be happening.” Is there some ignorance here that I am not clear about? If so, please assist. Along with this there are epiphanies.

Ramji: The epiphanies are the result of your mind becoming more and more sattvic. Yes, they are just objects appearing in you, awareness. You, awareness, observed the silence and the words, “…this is just what appears to be happening.” You are coming along very nicely, Carl. Maybe your study is about over.

Carl: Then it does not matter one way or another if reading and writing about the scriptures happens or not.

Ramji: The scriptures are just objects in you, awareness. They may be helpful for Carl, although it seems the penny has dropped. Perhaps Carl was approaching them with an unjustified expectation. Nonetheless, it seems that all that study has had a beneficial effect. So it must be the right way.

Carl: Yes. That has been there all along. This means of knowledge, the pramana, keeps clearing away whatever apparent ignorance seems to be there. Thanks again. Blessings to you.

Ramji: That’s what pramanas do.

~ Much love

Contacting Shining World

For years I have happily and diligently responded to communications on the topic of Self realization. Since the publication of my book, “How to Attain Enlightenment”— currently in its third printing —and the success of this website, the volume of emails has increased considerably. Unfortunately, owing to a busy schedule of teaching and writing, I am no longer able to answer all the emails I receive in a timely fashion. However, my wife, who is also a teacher, and several well-qualified teachers we have endorsed are available to answer emails on my behalf. I encourage you to send them your questions.
— James SwartzContact Us